More Than Just Lemonade: Teaching My Kids to Run Their First Business

This summer, I made a commitment that goes far beyond keeping my kids entertained during the long break from school. With my background in youth development and having taught entrepreneurship courses for kids through Oregon State University, I decided it was time to bring those lessons home. My children are learning to run their very first business—a lemonade stand—and the skills they're gaining will serve them for a lifetime.

Why Business Skills Matter for Kids

During a baking class I taught this week, I found myself reflecting on something we often forget as parents: there's so much more we need to teach our children beyond what they learn in school. Yes, academics are important, but we also need to equip them with practical life skills—how to cook, how to take care of themselves, how to handle disappointment, how to celebrate victories, how to interact with others, and how to keep learning and growing.

Running a business, even something as simple as a lemonade stand, touches on all of these essential skills and more.

Our Journey: From Recipe to Revenue

Recipe Testing and Quality Control

We didn't just throw together any old lemonade recipe. We spent time testing different combinations, discussing what made a product "good quality," and letting my kids be the ultimate taste testers. This phase taught them about standards, consistency, and the importance of believing in what you're selling.

Creating a Marketing Plan

Drawing from my experience teaching young entrepreneurs, I helped my kids develop a basic marketing plan. Yes, they're leveraging my established community connections—and that's exactly what I used to teach in my courses. We all have to start somewhere, and using the networks available to us is smart business. In my classes, we always partnered with local markets and existing communities because that's how real businesses grow.

Marketing in Action

My kids created signs, made marketing videos, and learned about promoting their business. They're discovering that running a business isn't just about having a good product—you have to let people know about it too.

The Real-World Skills They're Learning

Every day at the lemonade stand, my children practice skills that will benefit them throughout their lives:

Customer Service: They're learning how to politely approach potential customers, engage in conversation, and represent their business professionally.

Resilience: Taking "no" for an answer gracefully is a skill many adults struggle with. My kids are learning early that rejection isn't personal—it's just part of business.

Money Management: From counting change to tracking daily earnings, they're getting hands-on experience with basic financial literacy.

Communication: Every customer interaction is practice in reading people, adapting their approach, and building genuine connections.

Problem-Solving: When things don't go as planned—and they never do—they're learning to think on their feet and find solutions.

Building a Business That Works for Our Life

One of my core principles is building a business that works for my life, not the other way around. That means my kids are naturally part of what I do, especially during summer months. Rather than seeing this as a constraint, I'm viewing it as an opportunity to give them real-world education that no classroom could provide.

The Bigger Picture

This lemonade stand represents so much more than a summer activity. It's my investment in my children's future capability and confidence. They're learning that they can create value, solve problems, and contribute meaningfully to their community. They're discovering that work can be rewarding, that challenges can be overcome, and that success comes from preparation, persistence, and genuine care for your customers.

These lessons about entrepreneurship, resilience, and human connection will serve them whether they become business owners, employees, artists, or anything else they choose to be. The skills are universal, and the confidence they're building is priceless.

Looking Forward

As we continue through this summer business venture, I'm reminded daily why I chose to focus on youth development in my career. Watching my own children discover their capabilities, handle real challenges, and celebrate genuine achievements is incredibly rewarding.

This lemonade stand is teaching them—and reminding me—that learning happens everywhere, growth comes through experience, and the best education often happens outside traditional classrooms.

Sometimes the most important lessons come one cup of lemonade at a time.

Check out our upcoming Summer Sales and upcoming classes HERE

-Cheers,

Dani